A new plan being pursued by the City of San Francisco would allow developers with projects stalled by the economic recession hold on to their development rights as long as they make some beneficial use of the vacant land until construction starts.
The plan is being called a 'green development agreement', and is being pushed by Mayor Gavin Newsom. It could go up for legislative approval next month. Possible uses of vacant spaces include gardens, city tree farms, and carbon sinks.
"The effort began after a 2009 Chronicle series on lots that are left to languish during economic slumps. The problem is especially vivid south of Market Street, where large sites were cleared for towers that now are on hold because of economic uncertainty.
At present, entitlements for many large projects must be renewed each year. While extensions are granted routinely, the sites sit bare and often attract graffiti and trash."
FULL STORY: Myriad ideas to fill void of empty lots
Building a Temporary Retail Center on Vacant Land
A new project is opening in San Francisco that utilizes a vacant piece of land for a temporary retail installation using shipping containers.
Recession Hurting Transit Agencies Across U.S.
Big metropolitan transit agencies are struggling through the recession, with many considering cutting services and raising fares, according to astudy by Transportation For America and Transportation Equity Network.
BART Closes $35 Million Deficit
Cost control and revenue generation measures prevented service cuts.
Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.
EPA Terminates $116 Million in Grants for Reducing Emissions from Construction Materials
C-MORE grants were earmarked for industry trade groups and universities.
BART Closes $35 Million Deficit
Cost control and revenue generation measures prevented service cuts.
The New Parisian Hearse is a Bicycle
Sleek, silent, and sustainable, a green trip to the graveyard has hit the streets of the French capital.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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